Pedometer Malfunction
This is day 2 of the Woman Challenge, and I’m supposed to take at least 10,000 steps a day for 8 weeks. So I got myself a pedometer and marveled at how sedentary I am. Then I dragged myself upstairs to a small stuffy white room (where my building has a treadmill and elliptical machine) and decided to make up the rest of my steps for the day (about 8000!) So I was jogging along, huffing and puffing, eyes fixed on a door jam, and at the 30 minute mark I checked my pedometer. I was at 3000 steps only. Now, my math isn’t that great, but I think I can do more than 1000 steps in 30 minutes of jogging.
On closer inspection, my pedometer had ceased counting. Argh! I started shaking it and I realized that there must be some sort of ball bearing inside, trapped like some helpless pinball in the recesses of the little metal box in which it lives.
So my question is this: does anyone know how to keep a pedometer functioning properly? Do I need to find a way to make more movement in the Y-plane when I’m jogging? Should I bob around or do the “funny walk” to keep the little thing from going into pinball “tilt” mode?
Maybe hubby was right - I need to find a sport that I’m good at.
Hrmph.This post originally appeared on Dr. Val’s blog at RevolutionHealth.com.
Wow, helpful insights BioMechlPhD! I even found that very device in the Revolution Health store! I think I’ll need to make the investment or else I’ll suffer endless indignation.
I might buy one of those too!
Val – did you buy that pedometer you mentioned? Mine isn’t working well at all, it misses a lot of my steps.
Well… I wanted to give the one I had another chance. It has failed me (I bumped it with my bag and it erased all my steps mid-way through the day!) Argh… I am going to buy the new Omron but haven’t quite pulled the trigger. Will let you know when I do!
Pedometers vary in quality… try going to http://www.everybodyfit.com and purchase the new joy walker pedometer. It measures steps and time. It is high quality.
This company will give you your money back if you are not completely satisfied.